Ladies and gents! I am so excited to have a new, up-and-coming author visiting my blog today! May I have a drum roll please?
*drum roll*
Megan Cyrulewski!!!
Megan comes to the writing world straight with a law degree that could make John Grisham jealous and believe me...he has A LOT to worry about once this young lady sets up shop! Her debut novel, a memoir called Who Am I? deals with some heavy issues like postpartum depression, child custody battle and her divorce---all her which she chronicled while attending Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Her book will be released by Black Opal Books this summer and that calls for a double-whammy of awesome because not only is Megan an author but she's a FELLOW Black Opals author! And did I mention her absolutely-adorable daughter, Madelyne? Both she and Megan are featured on the cover of Who Am I? Take a look:
I knew there was a reason why I liked Megan! I would never have the courage to put myself on a book cover but she does it with such ease and aplomb. So would you like to get to know Megan and the story behind her memoir? Yes? Me too! She was kind enough to answer some of my questions:
Please
give us a synopsis about your upcoming release from Black Opal Books.
What makes my story so special? One word: Unbelievable. My book, Who Am I? is about my journey into post-partum depression, anxiety disorder, panic attacks, stays in the psych ward, divorce, domestic violence, law school, how I managed to graduate from law school and a beautiful little girl who emerged from all of this chaos.
Do
you like to write with noise? No noise?
It depends. I can’t listen to music unless it’s classical because then I will start singing. However, when I’m working on my new book (a legal thriller) I like to have Law & Order: SVU on the TV in the background. I’ve even had a couple of “Ah” moments that I included in my book.
Are
you a paper-and-pen type of gal or strictly on the computer?
Both. I carry around a notebook with me everywhere so I can write down ideas. When it comes to writing the actual story, however, I buckle down in front of my laptop.
Do
you need an outline to write your stories or do you wing it?
When I first started writing, I tried to wing it, but I kept leaving out a lot of information. Now I find it much easier to write an outline. It helps keep me on track and not deviate from where I am in the story.
What’s
your favorite snack to munch on while you let the creative juices flow?
I have recently fallen in love with Greek Yogurt. I don’t like regular yogurt but Greek Yogurt tastes heavenly.
Do
you have one of those nagging little voices in the back of your head, telling
you that you can’t do it? If so, how do you shut it up?
That nagging voice used to be my ex-husband. I shut it up by divorcing him. ;)
Does
your story come from personal experience or have you had to do some major
research?
Obviously my memoir is personal experience. My second book, however, comes from a little of both. I mean, there’s murder in my book but please don’t think that is my personal experience! When I was in law school, I learned that there are exceptions to almost every law. It got to be so common that my classmates and I would laugh when the professor said, “But there’s an exception.” I used to think that the “exceptions” would make great storylines. So law school is my personal experience. Once I figure out what law I’m going to use in my book, then I do the research to make sure it’s correct.
What
kind of books do you like to read? E-books or the real thing? J
I have so far refused to buy a Nook, Kindle, iPad or anything of that sort. I need to hold a book in my hand.
What’s
the one thing you can’t write without?
This is going to sound weird, but a pen. Even though I type on the computer, if I get stuck, for some reason, fidgeting with a pen helps with writer’s block. Weird…I know.
Believe me, weird is definitely a good thing! To find more about Megan Cyrulewski or pop by to say hi, visit her social media sites and remember, look for her memoir, Who Am I? debuting this summer!
Megan's Website
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
GoodReads
Author's Den
I knew there was a reason why I liked Megan! I would never have the courage to put myself on a book cover but she does it with such ease and aplomb. So would you like to get to know Megan and the story behind her memoir? Yes? Me too! She was kind enough to answer some of my questions:
Megan!
How are you? Thank you so much for joining us today! Here, have some cookies
*passes plate* and perhaps a nice, hot beverage *passes cup of COFFEE.* I hope you’re doing well. It’s so awesome that you’ve stopped
by. So let’s get right to it, shall we? Tell us….
What makes my story so special? One word: Unbelievable. My book, Who Am I? is about my journey into post-partum depression, anxiety disorder, panic attacks, stays in the psych ward, divorce, domestic violence, law school, how I managed to graduate from law school and a beautiful little girl who emerged from all of this chaos.
When
did you first decide to sit down and write?
Everyone
kept telling me that I needed to write a book.
I kept putting it off because I really thought it was going to be too
hard but once I started, I was on a mission!
Do
you have any inspirations?
My
daughter is my number one inspiration in the world. I never wanted to have children. When I got pregnant, everyone was shocked and
confused. Now, I can’t even imagine (nor
do I want to) my life without her.It depends. I can’t listen to music unless it’s classical because then I will start singing. However, when I’m working on my new book (a legal thriller) I like to have Law & Order: SVU on the TV in the background. I’ve even had a couple of “Ah” moments that I included in my book.
Both. I carry around a notebook with me everywhere so I can write down ideas. When it comes to writing the actual story, however, I buckle down in front of my laptop.
When I first started writing, I tried to wing it, but I kept leaving out a lot of information. Now I find it much easier to write an outline. It helps keep me on track and not deviate from where I am in the story.
I have recently fallen in love with Greek Yogurt. I don’t like regular yogurt but Greek Yogurt tastes heavenly.
That nagging voice used to be my ex-husband. I shut it up by divorcing him. ;)
Obviously my memoir is personal experience. My second book, however, comes from a little of both. I mean, there’s murder in my book but please don’t think that is my personal experience! When I was in law school, I learned that there are exceptions to almost every law. It got to be so common that my classmates and I would laugh when the professor said, “But there’s an exception.” I used to think that the “exceptions” would make great storylines. So law school is my personal experience. Once I figure out what law I’m going to use in my book, then I do the research to make sure it’s correct.
I have so far refused to buy a Nook, Kindle, iPad or anything of that sort. I need to hold a book in my hand.
This is going to sound weird, but a pen. Even though I type on the computer, if I get stuck, for some reason, fidgeting with a pen helps with writer’s block. Weird…I know.
Believe me, weird is definitely a good thing! To find more about Megan Cyrulewski or pop by to say hi, visit her social media sites and remember, look for her memoir, Who Am I? debuting this summer!
Megan's Website
GoodReads
Author's Den
Believe me when I say that Greek yogurt isn't the only think I took away from this interview, which was great, but now I have to go look it up. I'm happy that your daughter inspires you so much and that you made it through all the drama.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview, ladies. Congratulations of shutting up that voice :) and congrats on the book. Oh, and I totally agree. Fidgeting with a pen is THE thing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a force of nature you are, Megan! Your daughter is very lucky to have such a powerful and loving and passionate role model! Btw, I'm half-Greek (and fully passionate about it) the BEST Greek yogurt available is Bulgarian, Trimona, at Whole Foods. I was in Greece when I was 13 and HATED the yogurt (I missed my favorite Boysenberry Dannon) What passes for "Greek" yogurt these days is BS. If you get your hands on some TRIMONA (so strong, it'll curl your hair) you'll save yourself the airfare to Athens! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Megan and Melissa.
ReplyDeleteWhat a courageous woman you are Megan. Kudos for making it through and staying strong. Best wishes for the book.
Keep fighting, Megan! We survivors need to get out there and shatter all the stereotypes on abuse and thriving in its aftermath.
ReplyDeleteHi Melissa! I'm Heather and I wanted to know if you could answer my question about your blog! My email is Lifesabanquet1(at)gmail(dot)com :-)
ReplyDelete